PRODUCTION

JULIAN BERMUDEZ PRODUCTION™ runs the gamut of creativity. From award-winning Web sites to professionally produced audio and video projects, each production is designed to engage and inspire its audience. Below is a short list of past projects.

Camille Rose Garcia may not be appreciated by the fine art community, whatever that means, but she has leagues of fans who appreciate her work, which one observer has described as “eerily cute.” Fans who could buy a Camille Rose Garcia print for $200 in 2000 are now paying more than $1,000. In this radio interview which aired on 89.3 KPCC, I spoke with Camille Rose Garcia at a gallery event.

For years, Pacific Asia Museum had been functioning with a basic, unfinished web site. Visitors could find out about upcoming events, search the collections, and experience online exhibits, but they could not learn about the museum, its history, or all the other aspects of the institution. Now, each facet of the museum is represented: exhibits, education, events, the collection, membership, etc. One of the key elements I wanted to represent with this site was the effective use of technology to convey the museum’s mission. Major challenges were budget and scheduling. The new web site — delivered on time and on budget — features a rotating Flash presenting new exhibits and events; navigation designed for ease of use; highlighted artworks from the museum’s collection throughout the site; and a new Digital Lounge where podcasts, videos, a blog, and online exhibits enhance the museum visitors’ experience.

In my opinion, this is perhaps the most beautifully produced site ever created by a museum. Based on a show at Pacific Asia Museum of the same title, this online version boldly goes where the physical exhibit could not. It provides visitors an “engaging, steps-on-the-journey way” into discovering the spirit of Buddhism. The site is rich in content, artworks, and media, allowing as many people as possible to enjoy their experience. The main challenge was engaging a world-wide audience, while keeping them entertained. The site includes an interactive game, a morphing map and timeline, an online forum, and teacher lesson plans. But, I felt it was extremely important to make the subject relevant to anyone, especially those unfamiliar with Buddhism. So, the site includes a series of four custom-crafted photo-sound essays, illustrating Buddhist life, today. My photo essay, “Hollywood Buddha,” explores how Southern California has appropriated Buddhism into its popular culture. The site is a 2004 AAM Silver Muse Award winner, has been featured in The Christian Science Monitor, and was a Yahoo! Site of the Day.

This site was also based on a Pacific Asia Museum exhibit of the same title, but was taken a step further. Visitors have had a lot of fun seeing how Japanese artists created different kinds of animals — real and imaginary — in paintings and prints. But, again, I wanted visitors to understand why this subject should matter. I wanted to add excitement to this site, so the story is extended by including how the Japanese continue to express their deep affinity with the animal world through modern-day creations in film, comic-books, and animation. New creatures include “Gojira (Godzilla),” “Doraemon,” and the Forest Spirit from “Princess Mononoke.” The site features interactive games, a timeline, K-12 curriculum, and teacher resources, making it fun for all.

This site explores how status was so desperately sought after among China’s elite during the Ming (1368-1644 CE) and Qing (1644-1911 CE) dynasties. Through insignia of rank, badges were attached to the robes, garment, and accessories worn by those of the upper class. For members of the emperor’s court, the cloth symbols sewn to their robes conferred status and power.

One of my first jobs right out of college was to photograph and catalogue Pacific Asia Museum’s collection. I learned a lot about Chinese ceramics, Japanese woodblock prints and paintings, Tibetan and Himalayan ritual objects, textiles, costumes and adornments from the Pacific Islands, contemporary Asian art, and more! Within a short amount of time, I became the project co-manager and decided to move full steam ahead on the chance to “curate” the collection online. Visitors of all kinds — students, scholars, educators, researchers, artists, connoisseurs, art lovers — could explore the museum’s holdings and learn a lot about Asian and Pacific art and art history. Each object features a concise (tombstone) description, including title, artist, artist bio, place made, date, materials, and size. Some objects include special extras, such as sound, video, and notes from other curators. And, being that this site is about material culture, there are tons of images to look through!